Tag: community

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April 1, 2021

We could not do what we do without community support. Every contribution matters. As we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in April, we are excited to share eight different ways that local businesses throughout the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Interior are raising vital funding for the cause!

With 1 in 40 BC children diagnosed with autism, the need for support is greater than ever. Help us build a world where every individual on the autism spectrum is understood, accepted and supported in all community spaces.

Consider visiting one of these local businesses this month!

Meridian Farm Market | April
Across Lower Mainland

This Lower Mainland chain of grocery stores has been a CAN supporter and champion of inclusive employment for years. Last April, Meridian Farm Market raised over $18,000 for CAN! This year, they’ve added some new items to their annual wings and rice cripsy square fundraiser.

  • Locations: Mission, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam, Langley, White Rock, Tsawwassen, North Vancouver. Find a store near you
  • Wings Special: $1 of every pound of wings sold throughout the month of April will go to CAN!
  • Treat Specials: Proceeds from the sales of blue raspberry kettle corn, chocolate dipped rice crispy squares, and blueberries will be going to CAN.

Papa John’s | April
Surrey

Run by a CAN family, the King George Blvd location has a long history supporting the cause. In 2019, they invited participants to submit recipes for their new #CANPizza! And this past year, they have been an invaluable partner in our Employment Services and Programs.

  • Location: 10558 King George Blvd, Surrey
  • Specialty Pizza: $1 from every Specialty Pizza bought for delivery or pick up at the Papa John’s on King George Blvd throughout the month of April will go to CAN! Order now.

Mount Arrowsmith Brewing | April
Parksville

This brewery is dedicated to giving back to their Central Vancouver Island community. Each guest that purchases a taster flight is asked to choose between one of two local charities to support! Drop by and let your order contribute to CAN!

  • Location: 109-425 Standford Ave E, Parksville
  • Flight Special: Throughout all of April, CAN supporters can order a flight and choose to have $1 of the sale go to CAN! In response to the latest provincial health orders, the brewery’s indoor area is closed, but you can enjoy your flights on their beautiful outdoor patio or picnic area!

Herbaland | March 31 – April 14
Online

This Richmond-based vitamin and supplement producer is new to the CAN and Canucks family of supporters! This past March 31, they were set to be the presenting sponsor for the Canucks’ 3rd Annual Autism Acceptance Game at Rogers Arena.

  • Locations: Online and in store. Use their Store Locator to find a store near you
  • Merch and Gummy Sales: 100% of merch sales and 10% of vitamin and supplement gummy sales support CAN! Valid from March 31-April 14, 2021.

ZYIA Active | April
Online

Based out of the Okanagan, Paige Ternoway is an Education Assistant who has worked with countless CAN participants first-hand. As a representative of ZYIA Active, Paige and her team are donating proceeds of her sales every year to CAN!

  • Location: Online
  • Active wear sales: For the entire month of April, Paige is donating 20% of her commission to CAN! Shop now!

F45 | April
Vancouver

Functional training delivered worldwide! Committed to inclusion in their studio spaces, F45’s Vancouver location has chosen to support CAN this April.

  • Location: 1348 Granville St, Vancouver
  • Accepting Donations: F45 will be collecting donations throughout the month of April for CAN from their members.

*F45 is welcoming their members for workouts that abide by provincial health orders only.

Treaźe | April 17
Kelowna

Organized by a pair of CAN volunteers in Kelowna, take their treasure hunt challenge in support of the cause! The treasure hunt follows all health and safety precautions and has been approved by the City of Kelowna.

  • Location: The treasure hunt takes place across Kelowna, sign up online
  • Treasure Hunt: Take part in this exciting treasure hunt all across the City of Kelowna! There are prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place! Plus – 90% of the proceeds are going to CAN!

CAN Raffle | Enter by May 1
Online

Throughout their careers, the Sedins were always quick to support CAN at our community events and fundraisers. Now, Elias Pettersson is continuing the tradition of elite hockey and community support in Vancouver. Own signed jerseys from all three Canucks superstars past and present!

  • Location: Buy tickets online
  • Jersey Raffle: Win ALL 3 Canucks jerseys signed by Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, and Elias Pettersson! Buy a ticket for $5, three for $5 or ten for $20. Enter by Sat, May 1 at 10 PM.

Must be 19+ and within BC.

 

Dear Canucks Autism Network,

Since being diagnosed with autism at age 10, my son Mitchell has been a member of the CAN Hockey Program. This October marks his third season with the CAN Surrey Stingrays.

I have wanted to properly share my thoughts about CAN Hockey for some time now. From the coaches and volunteers to the unique dynamics and benefits of the program – each and every facet has been so fantastic.

But beyond the skill development and experience of playing hockey, this program has given us far more than we ever could have expected. At the tournament this past spring, I was struck by three experiences in particular that I wanted to share.

Mitchell (left) celebrates with teammates at their 2018 tournament in Kelowna.

The first was the genuine feeling of being a part of a TEAM.

Teamwork is a powerful thing. Something so many of these kids have been searching for. A place where they are actually a meaningful part of something bigger than themselves. A place where they belong. But the team doesn’t end with the kids. It extends to the families, which brings me to my second experience.

The undeniable support. And I don’t mean for the kids – CAN provides this in spades.  I mean between families.

Through practices, team fundraisers and time on the road, the Surrey Stingrays spend a great deal of time together. As a result, our guards are down, there is a comfort zone, and there is established trust. We have always shared the commonality of being parents of kids on the spectrum, but now we SHARE. We have become a support group for one another where we can speak freely and be more candid in our struggles than we might otherwise be.

And let’s not forget the siblings. Each player on the team has brothers and sisters who come out to watch them play. These sibling supporters have gotten to know each other too. And by doing so, they now have friends who truly understand what it is like to grow up with a sibling on the spectrum. Most importantly, they learn they are not alone. Like the parents, it is essentially another little support group.

The third scenario I witnessed at the tournament almost brought tears to my eyes.

After a shift, one of my son’s teammates returned to the bench visibly upset about something that had happened on the ice. From what I could tell, he was in full “shut down mode” and was going to require some focused intervention.

The MOST AWESOME part was that the intervention did not end up coming from the coaches or the volunteers. It came from the players, as a team. They all rallied around their dejected teammate, encouraged him, and turned the moment around. In an instant, the situation had been defused and the player was out on the ice for his next shift.

I cannot put into words what it is like to see my son be a part of a team like this. Mitchell always dreamed of playing hockey. In addition to making his dream come true, CAN has given him a second home where he feels welcomed and accepted.

CAN has given this to our entire family.

Gary and Mitchell Bryant at the Surrey Stingrays’ first practice of the 2018-19 season.

By offering CAN Hockey, you have created a very rare, very unique support group that has helped us in so many ways. Because Mitchell received a relatively late diagnosis, he missed out on a lot of intervention. We are still learning about what it means for him to have autism. Being able to share our experiences with families that we trust has been invaluable.

So when friends and family ask us what CAN hockey is all about – what the benefits are – I tell them this:

It is about 20 kids, desperate to belong, who have found a second home wearing the same jersey. It is about the irreplaceable community of support that every family member gets to be a part of. Beyond hockey, this program has a much deeper, far reaching impact than I could have ever expected.

This is something real special, folks. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Gary Bryant

Surrey Stingrays 2017-18 team (Mitchell fifth player from the left)

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Aug 16, 2017

Like so many skills taught in Canucks Autism Network (CAN) programs, the ability to ride a bike can open up a range of opportunities for a child.

Whether it’s riding around the neighbourhood with your family, exploring the sea wall with friends or cycling to stay fit, biking can play an important part in an active and social lifestyle.

But before a child can begin to enjoy a lifetime of experiences on their bike, they are faced with that initial hurdle of learning to ride.

Coordinating one foot to push in front of the other. Finding that perfect centre of gravity. Turning the handlebars to avoid obstacles. All while trying to follow verbal instructions and trying not to fall down.

For a child with autism faced with deficits in social communication and behavior, as well as potential motor difficulties, it can be an overwhelming experience.

Earlier this month, we invited CAN families to share their child’s experience with biking in exchange for a chance to win one of two Norco bikes. With huge thanks to the 365 International Sport Foundation, in partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the two bikes were generously donated in anticipation of Our Cityride on Saturday, August 19 – a community bike ride in Vancouver that CAN is excited to be a charity partner for.

Among the many entries, CAN parent Fion Lo recounted the barriers that her 9-year-old son faced when first trying to ride a bike at home.

“In addition to the challenges of his diagnosis, Marcus lacked confidence and was easily discouraged by setbacks. And between therapy sessions and doctor’s appointments, it was difficult simply finding the time to teach him.”

It wasn’t until Fion enrolled her son in CAN’s summer bike program that she began to see progress.

“The bike camps didn’t just focus on instruction – they were fun! He really fed off of the staff and volunteers’ enthusiasm and it was motivating for him to learn alongside other kids his own age. Marcus attended the bike camp two years in a row. By the end of the last camp, he could balance on the bike and ride around the track entirely by himself.”

What started at CAN has gradually impacted Marcus’ experiences in other areas of his life.

“This past June, Marcus began bringing his bike to school,” Fion continued. “With the skills he learned at CAN, he would bike around the track with all of his classmates cheering him on. Marcus does not usually get this level of positive attention at school, but biking has helped him with his confidence and relationships with his peers. Outside of school, Marcus and his dad will bike around the neighbourhood after dinner, spending precious time bonding with each other. Without the foundation that began at CAN’s bike camp, Marcus may still be using his training wheels. Thanks to CAN’s staff and volunteers, Marcus now has an achievement he is proud to show off to anybody that will watch!”

After filtering through countless stories like Fion’s, the Canucks Autism Network, 365 International Sport Foundation and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are thrilled to be providing Marcus with a brand new Norco bike!

For a child to take skills learned at CAN into the community is what our programs are all about. We encourage anyone within the CAN family to come out to Our Cityride in Vancouver on Saturday, August 19! Join thousands for a scenic community bike ride through Downtown or enjoy the festival grounds at David Lam Park. Visit ourcityride.com for more details!

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Marcus receiving his new bike, alongside the contest’s second winner, Avery, at Our Cityride on August 19, 2017.